RC System WaveNet User manual

WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
R.C. SYSTEMS CO. INC.
WaveNet Site Survey Tool
PH. 409-986-9800 FAX [phone]
8621 HWY 6 HITCHCOCK, TX 77563
Website: http://www.rcsystemsco.com
Warning: Read & understand contents of this manual prior to
operation. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.

WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
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WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
Table of Contents
WaveNet Site Survey Toolkit (SST) General Description .............................................................................. 4
Operator Interface and Menus ..................................................................................................................... 5
Function Keys:........................................................................................................................................... 5
Power Up and Network Discovery Scan: .................................................................................................. 6
Main Menu:............................................................................................................................................... 6
Simulate Rx Mode:.................................................................................................................................... 7
Simulate Tx Mode: .................................................................................................................................... 8
Radio Setup:............................................................................................................................................ 10
Setup Utilities:.........................................................................................................................................11
Low Battery:............................................................................................................................................ 11

WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
WaveNet Site Survey Toolkit (SST) General Description
Field Kit
Kit contains:
WaveNet Site Survey Tool (SST) with RP TNC connector.
Rubber antenna for 900MHz (2dBi dipole)or 2.4GHz (7 dBi collinear).
AC/DC converter.
Spare 9V Lithium non-rechargeable battery.
Carry case.
The hand-held WaveNet Site Survey Tool (SST) is designed with modes of operation for
simulating R. C. Systems WaveNet products including WaveCast Monitors (WCM’s), WaveLink
Receivers (WLR’s) and WaveNet Relayers (WNR’s). SST’s are supplied with either a 900MHz or
2.4GHz integrated radio module depending upon which WaveNet frequency it is ordered for.

WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
A single SST is very useful for commissioning and troubleshooting WaveNet systems that are
already installed at a site. However, it is highly recommended that two SST’s be used to survey
sites and approve WaveNet device locations prior to installation. One SST may be set as a
SERVER in Rx (receive) mode while another may be set as a CLIENT in Tx (transmit) mode. The
SERVER SST simulates either a WLR or WNR location while the CLIENT simulates WCM locations.
SST diagnostic features include Rx / Tx counters along with both tabulated and trended RSSI
(Received Signal Strength Indication) values to determine signal strength and link integrity for
the proposed wireless network. A 24 hour test is recommended to assure against high levels of
interference at random times.
SST’s are powered either by an integrated non-chargeable 9V Lithium battery or externally by a
1 amp 12VDC wall wart or automotive power point (cigarette lighter). The RP-TNC antenna
connector supports the local rubber antenna or coax cabling to a remotely mounted stationary
antenna. It is very important to evaluate sites using the same antennas intended for the
installation. If longer distances may require yagi directional antennas then these should also be
used during a site survey.
Features:
Backlit graphic LCD readout
Scans airwaves for “In-Range”WaveNet networks at power-up
RSSI values are trended over time and indicated in dBm for each transmission
Rx / Tx counters allow counting missed data packets over time
Rx mode timer indicates elapsed time between received messages
Tx mode offers special channel 33 which is unused by WLR’s for processing alarms. This
feature allows testing wireless link without tripping alarms.
Operator Interface and Menus
Function Keys:
There are four Function keys (F1-F4) with purposes that vary based upon the SST menu
selected. Each menu identifies the F key purpose with a tag name on the LCD just above the
button. The F3 key also serves as a power control key which cycles power when held for over 2
seconds.

WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
Power Up and Network Discovery Scan:
SC AN NI N G N ET WO RK A
A W
SE RV ERS F OUN D
EX I T
F1 F2 F3 F4
S C A N CO MP L E T E
A W
SE RV ERS F OUN D
DO NE
F1 F2 F3 F4
RE T R Y
Figure 1 –Sign on / Network Discovery Screens
Power is applied by holding the F3 key for over 2 seconds. The sign-on screen will indicate
operating frequency of the radio installed, the current network’s letter designator (A through
Z), and firmware version. The SST then scans each of the possible 26 WaveNet networks to
discover if any Servers already exist and within range. Only one Server is allowed per network
and the SST has built in protection to avoid itself operating as a Server that might interfere with
an existing network. It is important for SST users to understand the source of any other
discovered networks when performing a site survey. This scan may be aborted pressing the F4
key.
Main Menu:
MO DE S E T U P V X. XX
►Mo d e S i mu l a t e RX
Ra d i o S e t u p
Se t u p U t i l i t i e s
Ba t t 8 . 65V
▲ ▼ GO EX I T
F1 F2 F3 F4
Figure 2 –Main Menu
Use the UP/DOWN keys to select an item and follow the Function key prompts for that item.
The Main Menu controls these functions:
Mode - Configures the SST for either Simulate Rx or Simulate Tx modes.
Radio Setup –Pathway to the page of menus where the SST’s radio settings for Network
(A-Z), Client or Server (Client only in Tx mode) and Tx power (900MHz only) are
configured. Load Radio Defaults loads factory default values into the radio.

WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
Setup Utilities –Pathway to page of menus for adjusting Contrast, Backlight Timer and
Auto Off timer.
“No Server Found” is indicated on the Main Menu when in Tx mode and no server is
detected for the designated network.
Battery voltage is indicated on the Main Menu unless the SST is powered by an external
power source.
Simulate Rx Mode:
RE MO T E MO NI T OR
►V i e w RX Hi s t o r y
Vi e w RS SI T a b l e
Re mo t e St a t u s
Re mo t e RS SI T r e n d
▲ ▼ GO D ON E
F1 F2 F3 F4
Figure 3 –Rx Mode
Simulate Rx Mode allows the SST to simulate WaveLink Receivers (WLR’s) and WaveNet
Relayers (WNR’s). Just like WLR’s and WNR’s, this mode allows the SST to be configured as
either Server or a Client based upon the Radio Setup menu’s setting. However, prior to
allowing its radio to become the Server it scans to see if a Server beacon is already within range
for the selected A-Z network. If a Server is discovered for this network the SST returns its radio
setting to Client before entering the Simulate Rx Mode. Only one Server is allowed per network
so if the SST discovers another Server it will not function as Server for this network and another
network may need to be selected.
The Simulate Rx mode is also recommended and very useful for simulating WaveNet Relayer
locations during a site survey since Relayers have identical radio settings as WaveLink Receivers.
In the Rx Mode, three screens are available as:
View Rx History –Pathway to a table where received packet counters for all 32
channels are displayed. From the table screen, the F1 key resets all counters to zero
and F4 exits the screen.
View RSSI Table –Pathway to a table where most recent RSSI value in dBm for all 32
channels are displayed. From the table screen, the F1 key resets all counters to zero
and F4 exits the screen.

WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
Remote Status –Pathway to screen displaying the following for a given channel:
oRemote Id = The Channel # the other data displayed on this screen is for.
Select the desired channel from 1-33 using the + / - keys (33 being the channel
reserved for diagnostics by the Wavelink).
oRX Counter = Number of messages received for the selected channel since the
SST began receiving data on this network. This is useful for comparing the Tx
counter of the WaveCast to see if most of the messages were received.
oLast RSSI with ↑, ↓ or =; = the value of the RSSI for the most recent
message; plus arrows to indicate if it was stronger, weaker or equal to the
previously recorded message.
oLast Interval = a value in seconds indicating elapsed time between messages
prior to most recently received message.
oElapsed = a timer running seconds indicating how long it has been since the
last message received.
oAlarm Status is displayed across the bottom of this screen and indicates if the
WaveCast Monitor sending data to this channel has any alarms.
Remote Trend = Pathway to the RSSI trend screen where the +/- keys allow scrolling
through the accumulated RSSI trends for all 33 channels (33 = the WaveLink diagnostics
channel). In addition to the trends, this screen displays the channel number, Rx counter
and most recent RSSI value for this channel. The trend line consists of the most recent
128 receptions for the selected channel and is not time based in any way. If receptions
came twice per minute, a full screen width trend consisting of 128 values took 256
minutes to accumulate. If receptions were once per minute the screen would take 128
minutes to fill. This screen can be very useful for moving equipment to different
locations to determine best mounting position.
Simulate Tx Mode:
RE MO T E I D 33
►T X I n t e r v a l SI NGL E
Se n d Pa c k e t
T r e n d S e r v e r R SSI
Pa c k e t Co u n t 9 8 8
AC K Re c e i v e d 9 7 8
L a s t RS SI ▼- 66d B m
▲ ▼ CH NG DO NE
F1 F2 F3 F4
Figure 4 –Tx Mode

WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
The Simulate Tx Mode allows the SST to simulate a WaveCast Monitor (WCM) and transmit
data to WaveLink Receivers and WaveNet Relayers. The Radio Setup menu will only allow
operation as a Client in this mode. To avoid accidental transmission to an active channel, the
default channel for this mode is diagnostic channel 33. Channel 33 does not affect alarms at
WLR’s or WNR’s but is received and acknowledged (ACK) by their radios. This ACK is used to
capture RSSI from a server’s returned packet. Items available in this mode are:
REMOTE ID = Channel number setting of 1-33. Channel 33 is the default channel since it
does not affect any alarms as described above.
Warning: SST’s simulating WaveCast monitors in this Tx mode transmit packets
with all alarms cleared and Value Register set to 800 counts (ZERO READING). If
sent to a channel on the WLR or WNR that is in alarm ALL ALARMS WILL CLEAR
AND READING RETURN TO ZERO.
TX Interval = Value controlling if packets are transmitted manually (SINGLE) or
automatically every 6Sec, 1Min or 5Min. When set to SINGLE, packets are only sent
when the Send Packet menu is selected and the SEND key is pressed. Other settings will
automatically send packets on the interval displayed.
Send Packet = Sends each packet on demand by pressing the SEND key if the TX Interval
is SINGLE. If TX Interval is 6Sec, 1Min or 5Min the Send Packet field is a count-down
timer displayed in seconds and the packet is sent when the timer reaches zero and the
timer resets to the TX Interval. Once sent, the Packet Count advances and upon a return
of the acknowledgement, the ACK Received will advance and the RSSI will be displayed
for that reception. This can be useful to determine the missed packet ratio. Also, upon
the ACK, the dBm is captured for that packet and displayed as Last RSSI.
Trend Server RSSI = A unique test mode where the SST transmits a packet to the
network Server’s channel 33 approximately twice per second, and only the Server
returns an ACK. When the ACK is received, the SST increments the ACKS RECEIVED
counter, reads and averages the RSSI and draws an RSSI trendas a trend. A percentage
value for ACKs RECEIVED is displayed across the top and should be > 95%. The most
recent RSSI value appears at the bottom of the screen along with the RESET and DONE
keys. Press RESET to start over on the fly and DONE to end the test. Pressing DONE
brings up the results of the test including % of ACK’s received, packets sent and received
counters and HIGH, LOW and AVERAGE RSSI values.
Packet Count = Running count of the number of packets sent by the Tx Interval settings.
This may be reset to zero by selecting this item and pressing the RESET (F3) key.

WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
Radio Setup:
9 0 0 MH z / 2 . 4 GH z RAD I O
► Ne t wo r k A- Z
Sc a n f o r Ne t wo r k s
RF Mo d e C L I ENT
L o a d Ra d i o D e f a u l t s
T X P o we r 2 0 0 mW
Se r v e r I n Ra n g e
▲ ▼ CH NG DO NE
F1 F2 F3 F4
Figure 5 –Radio Setup
This menu is for configuring the SST’s 900MHz or 2.4GHz radio.
Network –WaveNet devices utilize the Network setting to assign up to 26 unique hopping patterns. To
simplify system setup, Network is entered using letter designators A through Z where A = [Hop Channel
1, System ID 1] and Z = [Hop Channel 26, System ID 26]. An SST will not indicate Server In-Range status
or communicate with any device operating on a different Network ID. This feature allows multiple
WaveNet wireless systems to be located within range of each other without interference.
Networks M through Z are encrypted networks. When one of these networks is selected, the data will
be encrypted via proprietary methods to ensure that only devices on that network which hold the
encryption key will be able to decipher the data being transmitted.
Scan for Networks repeats the network discovery scan performed at power up to detect
other Servers within range.
RF Mode is fixed at CLIENT when the SST is in the Simulate Tx mode. It may be set as
Server or Client in Simulate Rx mode. However, prior to becoming a Server the SST
scans to make certain another Server does not already exist for the selected Network
(A-Z). Each network requires one, and only one Server so for Site Surveys when no
other WaveNet equipment exists, the SST designated as Simulate Rx should be a Server.
But, if the SST is being used to “snoop” an existing network it must be set as Client.
Load Radio Defaults is a “cold boot” function for the radio module provided in case its
non-volatile internal memory in is corrupted.
TX Power is fixed at 125mW for all 2.4GHz versions. It has 4 settings available for
900MHz versions –10mW, 200mW, 400mW and 1W. 200mW is appropriate for most
installations if maximum distance is less than 1000 feet. Care should be taken using the
1W setting indoors and when units are close to each other since it can swamp nearby
WaveNet antennas.

WaveNet Site Survey Tool User's Manual
Document: UM-1000 Revision Level B
Setup Utilities:
SE T U P U T I L I T Y
► Ba c k l i g h t T i me r 8 s
Au t o Of f 30m
Co n t r a s t
▲ ▼ CH NG DO NE
F1 F2 F3 F4
Figure 6 –Setup Utilities
This menu is for configuring miscellaneous SST parameters including:
Backlight Time - which is the time the backlight remains on after a key is pressed.
Selectable times consist of 10s, 20s, 30s and OFF. If a minimum 11VDC External Power
source is connected, any of the settings will be overridden and the backlight will remain
on constant.
Auto Off may be set to 30M or DISABLED. If enabled, the timer gets reset with each
keystroke. If a minimum 11VDC External Power source is connected, Auto Off is
disabled and “EXT PWR” is displayed in this field.
Contrast allows the LCD contrast to be adjusted.
Low Battery:
When the battery falls below 7V, a LO BATT icon appears at the top left corner of the display.
In the TX Mode, the SST will still operate but if a high power setting is selected, the transmitted
packet may not go out. In the RX mode the SST continues to operate below this 7V limit.